Record Reviews
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  | PRZEMEK KLECZKOWSKI ~ TIME
HEVHETIA 0161 (Barcode: 8588005258241) ~ POLAND ~ Pop & Rock
Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017
This is the debut album by Polish singer / songwriter Przemek KleczkowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded with excellent young Polish Jazz instrumentalists: guitarist Szymon MikaFind albums by this artist, pianist Franciszek RaczkowskiFind albums by this artist, organist Grzegorz DowgialloFind albums by this artist, flautist Kasia Gacek-DudaFind albums by this artist, bassist Wojciech SzwugierFind albums by this artist and drummer Patryk DoboszFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine songs, seven of which are originals (assumably as this is not stated on the album´s artwork) by Kleczkowski (with lyrics in Polish and English), one is a Polish song by veteran saxophonist / composer Jerzy MatuskiewiczFind albums by this artist and another is a Classic Rock standard by the DoorsFind albums by this artist.
The songs have very little to do with Jazz per se, being mostly Pop, Rock and Folk oriented, but the instrumental arrangements have a distinct Jazz touch to them. The melodies are very melancholic and low key, which after a while gets to be a bit monotonic. Several excellent instrumental solos save the day, but without them the album would be quite difficult to listen to all the way through. Using lyrics in English is, as always, a bad mistake and the songs featuring them suffer from pretty problematic delivery.
Kleczkowski offers a very limited vocal palette and workshop, simply delivering the lyrics and not using any other vocal tools. As a result his singing belongs more to the Alternative Pop idiom than to Jazz and is definitely an acquired taste. The album is full of good intentions, which sadly do not come to fruition.
Overall this is a nice Pop album, with Jazzy arrangements and melancholic songs that are easily forgettable.
| | Updated: 11/08/2018Posted: 11/08/2018 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | SZYMON MIKA ~ ATTEMPTS
NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022
This is the third album as a leader and the debut solo album by Polish Jazz guitarist / composer / bandleader Szymon MikaFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, nine of which are original compositions by Mika and one is by Polish flautist / composer Kasia Gacek-DudaFind albums by this artist.
Mika established himself as one of the most talented young Polish Jazz musicians and during the last decade participated in recording a fabulous string of Jazz albums, both as a leader / co-leader and sideman. His superb guitar playing is more or less a fact that nobody can ignore by now and this album serves as a summary of sorts, concentrating on his compositional skills and his specific minimalist guitar sound, which is frugal, but wonderfully expressive.
Although intensely improvised, the music is somewhat distanced form the strict Jazz approach and flirts with other genres, mostly Classical and World Music oriented allusions. The resulting music flows gently from one tune to another, eschewing flashy displays of technique or virtuosity and rather concentrating on the essence of sharing a musical moment with the listener, offering a gently balanced mixture of melody and improvisation.
Overall, this is a mature, self-assured statement by a musician, who is full of talent and vision, pursuing the “less is more” approach very effectively. Guitar enthusiasts, not only and perhaps even primarily non-Jazz oriented, should find this album fascinating, as it manages to inspire and excite, and most importantly offer some highly original guitar techniques and musical visions, that sadly are pretty rare these days. A wonderful piece of serene, soothing, inspiring music, that is so badly needed in these difficult times!
| | Updated: 11/06/2022Posted: 11/06/2022 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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